The
following is information gleaned from the manuscript for the book :

Title:
"Condition: Black" Sub title: assault in progress

Title
copyright of R. J. Nash.

Data
has been gathered from a Home Office study group formed to investigate
violence within modern society. This study lists what are now becoming
known as "Habitual acts of violence". A "Habitual Act Of Violence" (HAOV)
is one that is repeatedly seen to be used in a given situation. The data
was gathered mainly from within the United Kingdom and
Europe.

All
data has been gathered through a study of violence within society and from
interviews with both victims and offenders. Although statistics have been
compiled, they are not yet for general release. The following is general
advice to women for their safety and well-being.

Threat
awareness and avoidance.

1.Just
because a person is a relative, friend or colleague does not make them a
Ďsafeí person in respect of potential sexual assault. Most sexual assaults are
committed by persons who have intimate knowledge of the victim. Always be
aware of the possibility of assault.

The most common place of
assault is in the home. Close all
doors and windows when you are home alone. If it is necessary to have a
window open, have a lock fitted that will allow partial opening with
security. Always use security chain on the door when answering callers.
Ensure that the chain is sufficient to delay forced entry for at least
ten seconds. No matter how well you know a male, try not to invite them
in when you are alone. Designate one room as a place
of safety. This room
should have only one entrance and be equipped with a stout door, an
internal bolt, a panic alarm, a telephone and a weapon of choice. Ensure
you are completely familiar with the weapon and can confidently use it.
There are many utility weapons around the house, familiarise yourself
with these and be prepared to use them

When walking alone, be aware
of your environment and the persons around you, avoid lonely deserted
areas. Frequently change your route to and from home, especially in
lightly populated areas. Remember,
most attackers know you and your routine. Avoid walking close to
alleyways or parked cars and vans/panel trucks. If you feel uneasy or
troubled, there is probably good cause for you to feel this. Search for
the reason. If you feel you are being followed, donít try to establish
the fact, just go quickly to a place of safety. Once there, donít leave
until you are sure it is safe. Always carry a personal alarm and a
utility weapon. Attackers are looking for easy victims. Walk confidently
with head high and show awareness.

If you are accosted (point A)
remember that your attacker has chosen his assault place (point B).
NEVER
allow yourself to be taken from point A to point B. Your best
chance of escape is at point A by direct and immediate action. If you
think that by going along without resistance you will not be hurt, you
are wrong. Even if you are not physically beaten, you will suffer severe
emotional trauma. Research shows that if you resist and are successful,
you will suffer virtually no long-term trauma. If you have resisted but
the assault is still successful, you will come to terms with it quicker
than those who do not resist.

Never think that you can
appeal for mercy or to your attackers sympathetic nature. If he had
sympathy or mercy, he would not be attacking you. Therefore when
defending yourself, Show No Mercy.

Habitual Acts of Violence: Part
One

Male on Male, Close
Quarters.

These are listed in frequency
order.

1. One person pushes, hands to
chest, which is normally followed by the pushee striking first, to the
head.

2. A swinging punch to the
head.

3. A front clothing grab, one
handed, followed by punch to the head.

4. A front clothing grab, two
hands, followed by a head butt.

5. A front clothing grab, two
hands, followed by a knee to the groin.

6. A bottle, glass, or ashtray
to the head.

7. A lashing kick to groin/lower
legs.

8.A broken bottle/glass jabbed
to face.

9. A slash with knife, most
commonly a 3 to 4"lockblade knife or kitchen utility knife. (Apart from
muggings, sexual assaults and gang violence, the hunting/combat type knife
is seldom used)

10.A grappling style head
lock.

Only one occasion of a well
known boxer, caught on night club cctv, opening the conflict with a hook
punch to the body.

An interesting point was
highlighted. Most fights, after
the initial encounter, quickly degenerated into scrappy scuffling with
head and waist grabbing and ended on the floor. Which brings to mind that most
Shotokaners lack groundwork skills. Anyone brave enough to redress this
imbalance on the list?

Habitual Acts of Violence: Part
Two

Offences against the person,
male on female

These are listed in frequency
order.

This data was gathered from
interviews with victims and offenders and from statements. Data only
covers robbery/sexual methodology and changes relative to first contact
with victim ie., venue/ night/day etc.

Domestic violence
is not covered as this is a specific subject of its'
own.

1. The victim was approached
from the rear/side/front, a threat was made with a weapon, and then the
weapon was hidden.

Then the victim's right upper
arm was held by the attacker's left hand and the victim was led
away.

2. A silent or rushing approach
was made from the victim's rear, and then a rear neck/head lock applied
and the victim dragged away.

3. The same approach as in #2,
with a rear waist grab. The victim was carried/dragged away, normally into
bushes/alley etc.

4. The victim was pinned to a
wall with a throat grab with the attacker's left hand. A weapon-shown
threat was made, and then the weapon hidden, and the victim led
away.

5. The victim was approached
from rear/ front/side. The attacker grabbed the victim's hair with his
left hand, and then she was dragged away.

The Most Common Wrist Grips,
Male On Female.

1. The attacker's left hand,
thumb uppermost, gripping the victim's raised right wrist. The attacker
threatens/ gesticulates with his right hand.

2. With the victim's right arm
down, the attacker grips the victim's right upper arm with his left hand
and her right wrist with his right hand.

3. The victim raises both arms,
with both of her wrists gripped. The attacker's hands are vertical with
the attacker's thumbs uppermost.

4. With the victim's arms down,
the attacker grabs both upper arms.

5. With the victim's right arm
down, the attacker's left hand grabs just below the right elbow, and his
right hand grabs her wrist.

A fact worth mentioning at this
point is that research shows that women who violently resist ,whether the
attack is successful or not, cope with the aftershock and trauma (Post
Traumatic Stress Syndrome) better than those who go quietly and hope they
won't be hurt. Very few who do resist get badly battered or
cut.

Research/profiling seems to
indicate that if an attacker is likely to batter or stab, it will happen
whether resistance is given or not.

Conclusion

Probably the most important
advice a self defence instructor can give is : Be aware of the
possibility of violence at any time, never think "it canít happen to
me".